[Robby]

Originally Posted by jo90

Overall the issue is that we want to keep people in this sport. To race at the majority of clubs now you need a PT. For nearly all race events a PT is required.

Now I can understand the views on here, for and against. However there are some things that people need to realise. As much as people say MRT 'copied' another brand (though im sure they didn't in full because im certain a large company such as MyLaps wouldn't take to kindly to losing sales due to a copied item, and then involve some legal bods in suits) at least the item was a reasonable and scenscible price. We are bordeing now on the £100 mark just to race at the weekend/weeknight. Those clubs that do have handouts will soon run out as the items die due to longevity or simply they have to upgrade their timing gear due to the life span of that. This cost though is a major sway on whether Mr Blogs (or Mrs for that matter) decides RC racing is for them. Not only do we have to buy a car, running gear etc...we are also stung for near on £100 just to have our car counted. So, to the question - why so expensive ? People will say because they have the market etc....is that true though ? Is there any reason why MyLaps/AMB have made this change in their time recording equipment when for years it has worked fine without fault ? Could it be they want more of the market, and to shut out the cheaper option (a la MRT) ?

For me, a racer on a budget, finding £100 for a new PT (as mine needs replacing due to the wires having gotten caught) isn't easy. That's alot concidering the overall cost of racing as well (tyres, petrol, race fee's etc).

Now im not sure if this is correct or not, but didn't the ruling bodies set a upper limit of motor cost in the last few years ? Could this not be done with PT's ??

Originally Posted by sawmiller

Hello Everybody

This is my first post on this site following my re-introduction to rc racing.
My sons and I visited our local track towards the end of last season, which is about 25 mile from where we live.
Now , my boys had'nt seen this other than clips I'd shown them on youtube and they were very excited.
Doubtless to say they had gotten the bug and we spent a few weeks sourcing a couple of good second hand B4's, some radio gear and several sets of batteries and a charger.

Everything is great.

So we head of to an early season meet and get all set up and head up to race control, where we were promptly informed that if we wanted to race ( and have our laps counted ) we would have to have a personal transponder, because the club was not using handouts like it did last year.

Thats ok, I thought I'll get a couple....then I was informed how much they are......holy **** you are joking .

can I buy just 1?
no you gotta have 1 each
thats another £200 +
My cars didnt cost that.

The guys at the club were most apologetic, but said thats the way its going now and most members had the transponders ,and they were quite concerned that hey would have to replace them too for some of the meets they attend through the season.
I phoned our next nearest club (53 miles) and they basically said the same thing.

To cut a long story short, we are going to delay participating in any club racing because of the pt cost.


I cant justify spending the money on something that might be obsolete this time next because they will bring out an even better system again.

Its just sad that people seem to think that just because something is new and costs alot its better.

Cheers

Well said...........both of you.



And yet some people think it a mystery why new people, including people on a budget, especially those with children, aren't taking part in our hobby.